A Look At The World’s Best Workplaces And How You Enhance Your Company With A ‘Happy Office’

1 week ago

Have you ever wondered which companies offer the best office
environments on the planet for their employees? Brands all over the globe, from
creative tech giants to innovative architect companies, strive to create a
positive workplace culture via their offices’ décors and furnishings, but why
do they do this? From boosting staff morale to increasing productivity, there
are plenty of reasons companies should invest in the look and tone of their
office. Find out why workplace décor can benefit your business and how you can
incorporate key interior design trends to enhance your brand.

Why
is a ‘fun office’ important for a business?

While some may question the findings, research states that we really do
need games, activities and quirky interior design features to get ahead. The
Centre of Economic and Business Research found that absenteeism
costs the UK economy £18 billion in lost productivity, with this figure
expected to increase to £21 billion by 2020.

Not only can making the workplace a positive, communicative place keep
spirits high, but it can also help combat feelings of anxiety or depression.
Mental health charity, Mind, conducted a
poll of more than 12,000 workers in 2017, which found that 48% of public sector
employees and 32% of private sector workers have taken time off their jobs due
to mental health issues. Could creating an environment that promotes happiness,
staff welfare and communication help staff members discuss worries and issues
before they get to the stage where time off is necessary?

Pushing for workplace positivity can beneficial from an employee
perspective as well as for the business as a whole. According to statistics
from the Centre for Mental Health, it costs £21.2 billion in lost productivity,
£10.6 billion in sickness and £3.1 billion in staff turnover to cover the costs
of mental health problems at work. Clearly, there are both personal and
financial reasons to support investing in your workplace’s ethos and
environment — but where can you get your inspiration?

Innovative
office design trends

2018 has witnessed some great examples of office spaces. But you don’t
have to be global conglomerate or billion-pound company to get in on the trend.
Here is a selection of some of the best offices in the world and how they work
to boost staff morale and productivity.

BBC

This BBC’s Salford base offers a maze of futuristic décor. With security
guards monitoring the area on Segways and a quirky combination of bold and
bright colours, this office creates a sense of innovation and positivity.
There’s also a real focus on collaboration at BBC MediaCityUK, with lots of multi-coloured
‘thought wheel’ chairs that arch over to encapsulate the seated grouped and
plenty of comfy sofas dotted around the entire office for quick chats and
spontaneous mindmap sessions.

Corus
Entertainment

In Toronto, Canada, Corus Quay is the £119 million headquarters of Corus
Entertainment. Stepping into here in the morning, staff are greeted by giant TVs,
board meeting tables inspired by ice hockey, and even a three-storey slide! The
designers here have really focused on visual stimulation — swapping the boring
for the interesting to boost levels of engagement.

SelgasCano

You must see the SelgasCano business in Madrid, to believe it. Built
half submerged in the ground to make the office cooler in summer and warmer in
winter, staff are presented with stunning views of the sprawling, tranquil
forest every day. As vast open spaces and natural environments often inspire
calm and relaxation, this is a nice touch from the designers.

Google

While you may already know about Google’s American bases, are you aware
of the tech giant’s Zurich base? Here, staff get free massages and a wine
cellar. What’s more, the site is cleverly located near the beautifully peaceful
Lake Zurich, making it ideal for mind-clearing nature walks during work breaks.
Clearly, thought has gone into de-stressing! Not only is relaxation important
for Google staff, but it appears that socialisation is crucial, too. At 5pm,
employees reportedly head to the office bar for drinks, snacks and a catch-up
with their peers!

money.co.uk

You’ll find money.co.uk’s office in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. This £3
million space delivers a truly unique and quirky décor. With a gym, games room,
cinema, and offer of free food; the emphasis is on fun at this workplace. When
it comes to inspiring productivity and communication, the informal seated areas
and open-plan design create a sense of inclusivity and participation — perfect
for getting the most out of team meetings and encouraging all staff members to
voice concerns and suggestions.

Innovative
office design trends

There is a huge scope regarding how you can create a positive atmosphere
in the workplace to encourage productivity, happiness and communication among
staff. Here are some tips for transforming your office into a positive and
collaborative environment that your staff will enjoy.

Make
your meeting rooms inclusive and interactive

In order to encourage team
development,
your meeting room’s design is essential. Instead of drab, small, stuffy rooms;
create a selection of spruced-up spaces featuring comfy furniture and big,
circular tables to help everyone relax and get involved.

Invest
in positive colours

Consider painting your office or purchasing furniture in yellow or
orange shades to promote positivity. According to research, blue and green
promote relaxation and calm, so perhaps make your communal zones these shades
to help staff unwind on their breaks.

Create
spaces for relaxation

No matter how small your office, there’s always room for a ‘time-out’
zone. A few comfy chairs and perhaps a selection of books and magazines will
suffice. If possible, you could hook up a TV or even buy a table football
stand.

Go
‘open plan’

Why not promote communication via an open plan office? As Steve Jobs
once said: “Ideas don’t happen in the boardroom, they happen in corridors.”
Install low dividers instead of walls so that people don’t feel segregated —
this can even cut the cost of construction and office equipment.

Utilise
visuals

Artwork can be used to add colour and character to your office space so
that staff aren’t just staring at the same old plain walls. Customise posters
and canvases to drive home your company’s mission statement and show all your
staff that they are working towards a collective goal every day.

Make
it unique

Of course, you don’t have to be as ‘out there’ as the above examples,
but pick furnishings and a décor that promotes your personal brand and its
workforce. Why not let staff customise their desks? This may help them feel
more valued and they could bring in items that inspires or calms them during
stressful days.

Freebies

While some offices give out free trips abroad, not everyone can afford
this. Anything from free snacks in the communal kitchen to a quarterly
team-building exercise outdoors will work towards creating a positive workplace
culture that shows employees that you appreciate their efforts.